Overview

Arch Linux

Stacks562

Followers555

Votes108

Linux Mint

Stacks288

Followers389

Votes77

Arch Linux vs Linux Mint: What are the differences?

Introduction:

In this article, we will explore the key differences between Arch Linux and Linux Mint. Both Arch Linux and Linux Mint are popular Linux distributions, but they have distinct characteristics that set them apart.

Installation process: Arch Linux has a more involved and manual installation process compared to Linux Mint. Arch Linux follows a "do-it-yourself" philosophy, requiring users to manually configure and install the system, including the desktop environment. On the other hand, Linux Mint provides an easier and more user-friendly installation process with a graphical installer and pre-configured desktop environment options.
Rolling release vs. fixed release: Arch Linux follows a rolling release model, which means that updates and new software versions are constantly released and seamlessly integrated into the system. This allows users to have the latest software but may require more frequent manual updates. Linux Mint, on the other hand, follows a fixed release model, where major releases are scheduled periodically, providing a stable and tested environment. This model may be preferred by users who prioritize stability over having the latest software.
Package management: Arch Linux utilizes the Pacman package manager, which is known for its simplicity and speed. Pacman uses a command-line interface for package management and provides extensive control over the system's software. Linux Mint, on the other hand, uses the Apt package manager, which is also widely used in the Debian-based distributions. Apt combines a command-line interface with a graphical front-end, making it easier for users who prefer a graphical package management interface.
Software availability: Arch Linux offers a vast and up-to-date software repository called the Arch User Repository (AUR). Users can access and install software from the AUR, which is mainly community-driven. Linux Mint, on the other hand, focuses on providing a more curated software selection through its own repositories. While Linux Mint's repositories are extensive, they may not have the same breadth and immediacy of the Arch User Repository.
Community and support: Arch Linux has a dedicated and active community that is known for its knowledge-sharing and support. However, due to the nature of its DIY approach, the community may expect users to have a certain level of technical expertise. Linux Mint also has a supportive community, but it may be more accommodating to novice users, as the distribution aims to provide a user-friendly experience.
Default desktop environment: Arch Linux does not come with a default desktop environment. Users have the freedom to choose and customize their own desktop environment or window manager. Linux Mint, on the other hand, provides multiple editions with different desktop environments pre-configured, including Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce, and KDE. This allows users to select the desktop environment that best suits their preferences without additional configuration.

In summary, Arch Linux offers a highly customizable and DIY experience with a rolling release model and extensive software availability through the Arch User Repository. On the other hand, Linux Mint provides a user-friendly installation process, a fixed release model for stability, and a more curated selection of software.

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Advice on Arch Linux, Linux Mint

Simon

Developer Advocate at k6 / Load Impact

Mar 7, 2020

Decided

At the moment of the decision, my desktop was the primary place I did work. Due to this, I can't have it blow up on me while I work. While Arch is interesting and powerful, Ubuntu offers (at least for me) a lot more stability and lets me focus on other things than maintaining my own OS installation.

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Comments

Gopi

Jun 21, 2020

Decided

I liked manjaro a lot, the huge support it has and the variety of tools it provides is just awesome. But due to its parent platform being Arch Linux it has bleeding-edge technology and that meaning, we get updated 'daily', and if we keep updating the system daily, due to the bugs in the recent updates the system sometimes used to crash, this made the OS really unstable. However, one can avoid such crashes using periodical and careful system/package updates. I now use LinuxMint which is based on Ubuntu, and this OS is completely stable with reliable(mostly tested) updates. And, since this OS is backed up by UBUNTU the concerns/questions one can encounter while using the OS can be easily rectified using the UBUNTU community, which is pretty good. Though this is backed up on UBUNTU it most certainly does NOT include the proprietary stuff of UBUNTU, which is on the bright side of the OS. That's it! Happy Computing.

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Comments

Detailed Comparison

Arch Linux	Linux Mint
A lightweight and flexible Linux distribution that tries to Keep It Simple.	The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use.
Statistics
Stacks 562	Stacks 288
Followers 555	Followers 389
Votes 108	Votes 77
Pros & Cons
Pros 17 Large Community 15 Package Manager 13 Customizable 12 Rolling Release 11 Arch User Repository Cons 4 Systemd only 3 Only X86_64 architecture is offically supported 1 Unstable 1 System maintenance 1 No Guided Installation	Pros 16 Simple, Fast, Comfort and Easy to Use 15 Stable 13 Elegant 12 Good for beginners 11 Free to use Cons 3 Easy to mess up with a few settings (like the panel) 2 Security breaches 1 Idiots can break it because it is open source

What are some alternatives to Arch Linux, Linux Mint?

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning ‘humanity to others’. It also means ‘I am what I am because of who we all are’. The Ubuntu operating system brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the world of computers.

Debian

Debian systems currently use the Linux kernel or the FreeBSD kernel. Linux is a piece of software started by Linus Torvalds and supported by thousands of programmers worldwide. FreeBSD is an operating system including a kernel and other software.

Fedora

Fedora is a Linux-based operating system that provides users with access to the latest free and open source software, in a stable, secure and easy to manage form. Fedora is the largest of many free software creations of the Fedora Project. Because of its predominance, the word "Fedora" is often used interchangeably to mean both the Fedora Project and the Fedora operating system.

CentOS

The CentOS Project is a community-driven free software effort focused on delivering a robust open source ecosystem. For users, we offer a consistent manageable platform that suits a wide variety of deployments. For open source communities, we offer a solid, predictable base to build upon, along with extensive resources to build, test, release, and maintain their code.

Linux

A clone of the operating system Unix, written from scratch by Linus Torvalds with assistance from a loosely-knit team of hackers across the Net. It aims towards POSIX and Single UNIX Specification compliance.

CoreOS

It is designed for security, consistency, and reliability. Instead of installing packages via yum or apt, it uses Linux containers to manage your services at a higher level of abstraction. A single service's code and all dependencies are packaged within a container that can be run on one or many machines.

Gentoo Linux

It is a free operating system based on either Linux or FreeBSD that can be automatically optimized and customized for just about any application or need.

Alpine Linux

Alpine Linux is a security-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution based on musl libc and busybox.

Manjaro

It is an accessible, friendly, open-source Linux distribution and community. Based on Arch Linux, it provides all the benefits of cutting-edge software combined with a focus on getting started quickly, automated tools to require less manual intervention, and help readily available when needed.

FreeBSD

An operating system for a variety of platforms which focuses on features, speed, and stability. It is derived from BSD, the version of UNIX® developed at the University of California, Berkeley. It is developed and maintained by a large community.